Attending Professionals

[nightwing22dg.livejournal.com]

I've noticed a big list of Attending Professionals under the guest list. One person listed there put up a panel and signing schedule on Twitter. Does anyone know the difference between a Guest and an Attending Professional? Is it common for people listed under Attending Professionals to do signings & panels? I was really hoping to see Nathan Edmondson do a signing and panel. His Image comic books are really awesome.

Comments

[fiawol.livejournal.com]

"Attending professionals" are generally people who have asked the con if they were interested in having them on a panel, and in return the convention gives them an admission pass to the convention. Actual convention guests were invited by the convention, and are generally given a spot to sit down and meet convention attendees,sign items, etc. This is for artist and writing professionals, media professionals are handled completely differently, and have their own "Walk of Fame" area to meet attendees. If you are looking to find an attending professional, your best bet is to visit their own website (or twitter announcements) to see where they will be, or check the program book to see what panels they will be on, or if there are any scheduled signings.

[nightwing22dg.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info. It's good to know that there is a chance they will have panels and signings. I understand the differences you explained. Though, I suppose for a fan, an attending professional is like an extra guest that we get to meet.

[andrew norton (from livejournal.com)]

The 'guests' are TV/movie actors/producer/directors, comic book artists, authors, and voiceover artists. Outside of that group, you're an 'attending professional'. It doesn't meanyou're less of a name, just you don't fit into the 'standard category'. If you look on the guest page, you'll find more names listed on the quick bio section than on the lists at the top. For instance, search for 'Bruce' in the lists, and you'll find one name in the list (Boxlightner) but TWO bio's. The other is of course, Bruce Almighty (Bruce Schneier) one of the biggest names in cryptography, security, and privacy (those of you flying in to D*C would probably want to read his views on the TSA) and the Chief Security Technology Officer of British Telecom (I believe 70% of the metro Atlanta telephone system is ex-BT gear)

It also depends on the track. A number of writers and comic-artists are not listed in the main body, Again, my experiance is that the authors and webcomic artists we have at the EFF track are not listed in that big list. Again, bios are there, just not in the top block of names.

[adolla.livejournal.com]

Guests are invited by the con and have some or all their expenses are covered by the con. Attending professionals are panelists whose badges are comped but are generally on their own as far as accommodation, food, and travel.